15 Types of Titration | Their Methods & Examples in Chemistry

Different types of titrations are used in the field of analytical chemistry to evaluate chemical compounds like the

Acid base titrations

Redox titrations

Precipitation titrations

Complexometric titrations.

But, based on the experimental requirement and conditions, there are few more types as the nonaqueous, iodometric, indirect titrations, etc. We will see all the methods in detail.

Definition of titration: It is a method of analysis wherein a test substance is allowed to react with a known standard solution in the presence of an indicator until the endpoint.

An endpoint is one where the test substance has been completely reacted with the analyzing regent.

A student estimating the concentration of a sample taken in the conical flask

The reagent added from burrete to estimate is called as a titrant. The substance underestimation is called titrand.

The different types of titration are

A) Based on the method of titration:

They are of three types of titration based on the method used in the process of titration.

Representation of different modes of titration

The three types include

1. Direct titration: As the name indicates, it is a basic titration. A known amount of titrant is added from a burrete to a titrand sample taken in a flask. Here one substance is analyzed for its quantity by another substance of known volume and concentration.

2. In-direct titration: Theoretically it is converting a substance into acid and analyzing with a base. (also vice-versa). This is a method extrapolated to use titration for non readily reactive substances. A substance can be weakly acidic and so it does not permit for precise analysis by direct titration. So first that substance is chemically altered to be more reactive in acidic or basic form and then analyzed by adding a titrant.

3. Back titration: This method is also suitable for weakly reactive or non-reactive substance estimation. Here a substance is allowed to react with excess and known quantity of a base or an acid. The remnant excess base or acid is estimated by a known quantity of acid or base receptively. It is called back titration as we are estimating a substance which was added by us.

B) Based on the nature of solvents and chemical reaction:

The titrations can also be classified based on the nature of solvents used.

Types of aqueous and nonaqueous titrations

Based on the solvent used they can be classified as aqueous and non-aqueous types. Further based on the nature of chemical reaction they are classified as below

1. Aqueous titrations:

Acid-base titrations. ( neutralization): An unknown sample of acid is estimated with a known quantity base or vice-versa. The result reaches a neutral point at pH-7 and in most cases, salt is formed.

Redox titrations:The full name is oxidation-reduction titration. Here a reducing agent is allowed to react with an oxidizing agent till endpoint. The common oxidizing agents used are Potassium permanganate, bromine, cerium, etc.

Complexometric titrations: As the name indicates, the endpoint is seen by the formation of a complex molecule. Here titrant and titrand react to form a complex till endpoint is reached. Once complex is formed, the complex is stable and no further reaction takes place. The reaction depends up the chelating agent’s ability to form a complex with the sample under test. Example of the chelate is ethylene tetra-acetic acid (EDTA)sodium salt.

Precipitation titrations:The reaction occurs by formation of a solid precipitate at the bottom of the flask. Here titrant reacts with titrand to form an insoluble precipitate. Example for such reaction is Silver nitrate with Ammonium chloride. The reaction forms a white precipitate of silver chloride.

Weak acid v/s Weak Base: Reaction between a weak acid and a weak base. Ex: Acetic acid v/s NH4OH. The end point would have a pH of 7. Here the salt formed as a final product would be neutral.

A titrand is taken in a beaker while titrant is dropped from a burette. The sole purpose of titration is for qualitative and quantitative estimation a given substance.

These methods are comparatively economic and easy to perform. Further, the technique is also reproducible across all the labs. Hence, they are routinely used in industry, research and also education.

Calculation: All the processes of titration are noted in a chemistry lab report manually. This includes the molar concentration of solutions, their volumes, indicators, formulas, etc. This helps to calculate final values.